Viacom Promotes Four EVPs
Viacom chairman/ceo Sumner M. Redstone announced today the promotion of four key members of the company's senior management team to evp, including Carl D. Folta, head of corporate relations; Carol A. Melton, in charge of government relations; William Roskin, overseeing human resources and administration and Martin M. Shea, head of investor relations. They all report directly to Redstone.
"I am extremely pleased to announce the promotions of these four terrific executives, each of whom has played a critical role in Viacom's growth and success over the past decade,” said Redstone. “They are each highly regarded in their respective disciplines and have made important contributions not only to Viacom, but also to the media and entertainment industry as a whole. I am so pleased to acknowledge all of their hard work and dedication on behalf of Viacom with these promotions. And I'm extraordinarily grateful for their wise counsel, their trust and their friendship over the years."
As evp of corporate relations, Folta will continue to be responsible for Viacom's overall communications activities, both internal and external, as well as the coordination of communications at the company's operations, which include CBS, MTV Networks, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor and Infinity Broadcasting. He serves as Viacom’s chief spokesperson, responsible for all financial press. He also oversees media relations activities for industry issues and public affairs, including regulatory, legislative and legal issues.
Additionally, Folta manages corporate philanthropy, public affairs and corporate events functions. He initiated and heads up the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning KNOW HIV/AIDS, Viacom's groundbreaking, cross- platform public education campaign to fight HIV/AIDS. Folta is a member of Viacom's Marketing Council, which comprises the company's top marketers and creates cross-promotional campaigns for Viacom brands and properties.
He joined Viacom in April 1994 as vp, corporate relations, from Paramount Communications Inc., where he served in various communications posts of increasing responsibility since his 1984 hire. Folta was named svp at Viacom in November 1994.
Melton, evp of government relations, is based in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for managing domestic and international public policy issues concerning Viacom and its operations. She directs the company's public policy strategies and advocacy pertaining to legislative and regulatory matters, including issues before Congress, the executive branch, independent regulatory agencies and other government bodies. Melton supervises the activities of outside firms representing Viacom's government affairs interests as well as its various trade association relationships. She also serves as president of Viacom's Political Action Committee.
Before joining Viacom in 1997, Melton was vp for Law and Public Policy of Time Warner Inc., where she was responsible for the development and advocacy of corporate-wide public policy on legislative and regulatory matters. She joined Warner Communications as its Washington counsel in 1987.
Melton served as legal advisor to FCC chairman Mark Fowler in 1986 and 1987, acting as the chairman's chief advisor for cable, broadcast and other mass media issues. From 1983 to 1986,Melton was assistant general counsel for the National Cable & Telecommunications Assoc. Previously she was an associate in the communications group of the Washington, D.C. law firm of Hogan and Hartson, which she joined in 1981.
Melton serves on the board of trustees of The Media Institute and is a member of the Federal City Council and the Business-Government Relations Council. She has served previously on the board of directors of the National Assoc. of Broadcasters and on the boards of trustees of the Meridian International Center, the Potomac School, the Federal Communications Bar Assoc. Foundation and the Washington Performing Arts Society.
"I am extremely pleased to announce the promotions of these four terrific executives, each of whom has played a critical role in Viacom's growth and success over the past decade,” said Redstone. “They are each highly regarded in their respective disciplines and have made important contributions not only to Viacom, but also to the media and entertainment industry as a whole. I am so pleased to acknowledge all of their hard work and dedication on behalf of Viacom with these promotions. And I'm extraordinarily grateful for their wise counsel, their trust and their friendship over the years."
As evp of corporate relations, Folta will continue to be responsible for Viacom's overall communications activities, both internal and external, as well as the coordination of communications at the company's operations, which include CBS, MTV Networks, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor and Infinity Broadcasting. He serves as Viacom’s chief spokesperson, responsible for all financial press. He also oversees media relations activities for industry issues and public affairs, including regulatory, legislative and legal issues.
Additionally, Folta manages corporate philanthropy, public affairs and corporate events functions. He initiated and heads up the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning KNOW HIV/AIDS, Viacom's groundbreaking, cross- platform public education campaign to fight HIV/AIDS. Folta is a member of Viacom's Marketing Council, which comprises the company's top marketers and creates cross-promotional campaigns for Viacom brands and properties.
He joined Viacom in April 1994 as vp, corporate relations, from Paramount Communications Inc., where he served in various communications posts of increasing responsibility since his 1984 hire. Folta was named svp at Viacom in November 1994.
Melton, evp of government relations, is based in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for managing domestic and international public policy issues concerning Viacom and its operations. She directs the company's public policy strategies and advocacy pertaining to legislative and regulatory matters, including issues before Congress, the executive branch, independent regulatory agencies and other government bodies. Melton supervises the activities of outside firms representing Viacom's government affairs interests as well as its various trade association relationships. She also serves as president of Viacom's Political Action Committee.
Before joining Viacom in 1997, Melton was vp for Law and Public Policy of Time Warner Inc., where she was responsible for the development and advocacy of corporate-wide public policy on legislative and regulatory matters. She joined Warner Communications as its Washington counsel in 1987.
Melton served as legal advisor to FCC chairman Mark Fowler in 1986 and 1987, acting as the chairman's chief advisor for cable, broadcast and other mass media issues. From 1983 to 1986,Melton was assistant general counsel for the National Cable & Telecommunications Assoc. Previously she was an associate in the communications group of the Washington, D.C. law firm of Hogan and Hartson, which she joined in 1981.
Melton serves on the board of trustees of The Media Institute and is a member of the Federal City Council and the Business-Government Relations Council. She has served previously on the board of directors of the National Assoc. of Broadcasters and on the boards of trustees of the Meridian International Center, the Potomac School, the Federal Communications Bar Assoc. Foundation and the Washington Performing Arts Society.
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